Edna found two copies of the same cookbook in a charity shop.
One was spotless. The other was splashed with gravy and had a greasy mark beside the pie recipe.
She chose the dirty one.
The assistant fetched a damp cloth, but Edna stopped her before she could wipe a page….
Edna wanted some new ideas for dinner.
At the charity shop, she found a cookbook with plain ingredients and photographs of meals she recognised.
The assistant brought out a second copy.
Same price, she said. This one’s much cleaner.
Edna opened both at the chicken pie.
The clean copy looked as though nobody had touched it.
The other had a thumbprint in the margin and a pale ring from a mug.
Edna turned to the stews. Brown splashes ran down one page.
Someone had been busy here, she said.
The assistant apologised. They tried to check every donation.
No need. What are the puddings like?
They inspected the apple crumble. The corner was shiny with old butter.
Edna nodded and put the clean copy back.
The assistant said she could at least tidy the other one before putting it in a bag.
She dampened a cloth and reached for the stew page.
Edna caught her hand.
Leave that alone.
It’s only a little gravy.
I know.
The assistant held up the cloth.
Surely you’d rather have a clean book?
Edna opened her purse.
You’re rubbing off the reviews.
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